BJD MLA Questions Rationale Behind ‘Dhadi Darshan’ In Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: While the police have begun taking action against those involved in the violent protests in Puri on October 3 against ‘dhadi darshan’ (queue system), a senior BJD leader and the local MLA questioning the new system introduced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has further complicated matters.

Talking to mediapersons here on Saturday, Puri MLA and Revenue and Disaster Management minister Maheswar Mohanty said the Jagannath Temple should not be compared to other temples in the country.

“Compared to other major temples in the country, there is huge space inside Jagannath Temple in Puri. Moreover, as most of the temples in the country have one presiding deity, the devotees have no problem in moving in a queue for the darshan. On the other hand, there are several deities in the Jagannath Temple. Hence, the devotees will have to wait in the queue outside the temple for a long time and it will delay the darshan of those other than the sibling deities,” he said.

Considering these factors, the temple administration, instead of taking hasty decision should strive for a permanent solution to this issue, he added.

“If necessary, we will take up the matter with the state government and request it to necessary steps in apprising the Supreme Court of the problem, which has evoked resentment among the devotees across the state. We hope that the amicus curiae will take up the matter seriously,” Mohanty pointed out.